Fluid flow regulator



Sept. 3,-1935. v. v. v EENscHoTl-:N 2,012,978,`

FLUID FLOW REGULATOR Filed Jan. 2s, 19:52 2 sheets-sheet 1 v I4 I3 j] l0l 41 2a is 3 ZZ' /Tly/ -I 5 5.,

o l y 16 1a 15 /T'zy- L 410 L 24 -k INVENTOR.

1 Vz'fzoem If. I/eezsc/Zozez ATTORNEY.

v. v. VEENSCHOTEN FLUID FLow REGULATOR Filed Jan. 2:5, 1952 Sept. 3, 1935. 2,012,978

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /IJIIIIIlY--lllll IIIIIIIII/ Vince V Vee/esc/bzm ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 3, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLUID4 FLOW REGULATOR Vincent V. Veenschoten, Erie, Pa., assignor to Northern Equipment Company, Erie, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application January 23, 1932, Serial No.v588,313

9 Claims,

orifice through which the uid flows. Although the invention is applicable to the control of the ow of any fluids, Whether gases or liquids, yet

f it is preferably used to control the ow of liquids, particularly water, through pipes which are con- 10 trolled by valves. One of the objects of the vin#- vention is to vary the opening of the valve so as to provide uniform flow through the transmitting pipe, and this is accomplished by mechanism responsive tc variations in pressure in the pipe caused by variations in now of the liquid therein. A particular object is to provide mech. anism responsive'to the differences in pressure on the two sides of a restricted orifice in the pipe,.

preferably adjacent the valve which controls the flow of fluid therethrough.

Qf the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is an elevation, more or less diagrammatic andv mainly in section, of a regulator system which embodies the features of my invention; Figs. 2, 3 and 5 are similar views of modied systems for accomplishing the same purpose; and Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic View of the electric circuits which are applicable to the system of Figs. 3 and 5.

It may be assumed that the water or other uid is flowing through the pipe I0 in the direction of the arrow, under a suitable pressure which` may be uniform or more or less variable. The fluid flows through the valve II, the'ports of which are controlled by means of a plunger I2,

then through the pipe I3 inwhichis provided an orice I4. The uid then flows to any desired receiver, such as the boiler of a steam generating system.

'Ihe operating mechanism comprises a con- 40 tainer I5. This container is connected by means I of a pipe I1 with the supply pipe I3. In Fig. 1, this connection is at the far side of the orifice I4. The system comprises alsoa container vI8 which is connected'bya pipe 2Il-with the supply v pipe- I3 between the orifice andthe v,alve."lvhve'l lower portions *of` the' two containers'-are1connected bya'pipeZI. In the-chambers22 and' y 23A of the containers is a' supply' ofA liquid-pref@ erably mercury 24 and 25,'-respectively. A float I6 floats on the mercury 24'.

When the system is in operation with the uidy ow uniform through the pipe I3, the pressures acting through the pipes I1 and 20, on the mevrcury surfaces will hold the two masses of mercury in equilibrium with the levels of the mercury 24 somewhat higher than that of the mercury 25. But, in case of an increase in ow of uuid through the pipe I3, owing to the increased pressure of the supply or the decreased pressure in the receiver, or otherwise, the pressure in the 5 y pipe-20 will increase with reference to the pressure in the pipe I1, thus forcing downwardly the mercury 25 and forcing upwardly the mercury 24 and elevating the float I6.

Fixed to the container I5 is a tube 26 in which 10 is mounted a pilot valve 21. The valve 21 is connected by means of a rod 28 to the float I6. Connected to the pipe 26 is a pipe 30= which vis also connectedr to the supply pipe I Il. As the float rises, the pilot valve 21 is forced upward- 15 1y, and the fiuid under-pressure in the pipe 30 passes into the pipe 3| and into the lower end of the chamber 32 of the cylinder 33. Mounted in the cylinder is a'piston 34 which is connected, by means of a stem 35, with the plunger I2 of 0 the valve II.

Hence, as the ow in the pipe I3 increases, the plunger I2 will be elevated by the increased pressure in the lower end of the chamber 32, closingr more the valve. At the same time, the 25 exhaust liquid in the upper end of the `chamber 32 is at liberty to pass out through the pipe 36 into the pipe 26 andvout to any suitable receiver through the pipe 31. In this manner, the ow. of fluid through the pipe I3 is decreased by the 30 closing of the valve II.

However, it is not desired to completely closethe valve II, as the flow of liquid therethrough would be entirely stopped; and this would be the case if means are not provided for stopping the 35 upward movement of the piston 34. The means which I provide for this purpose comprises a displacement mass 40 mountedin the `container I8 and partly submerged in the liquid 25. This mass is connected; by means fof a rod 4I, with 40 the piston 34. As the piston rises, the mass 4I) will be raised, allowing mercury to ow .from the container I5'into `the container I8 and, thus,

lowering the mercury level inthe' containerv I5. vThis will allow the float and the pilot valve l21 45 to sink, thus closing the inletto theQpipeQSI'` and the outlet to the .pipe :'36, and preventing `rfurther movement of the piston.

If the vmechanism is suitably formed andad-Y just'ed, in normal operation; the movement of the 50 plunger I2., by theaction oit'the` displacement mass 40, willv be suicient toA decrease the. flow,v 4

through the pipe I3 to the desired normal amount, thus maintaining uniform the ow of uid through the pipe. And this result will fol- 55 low without reference to the cause of the variation in the now, and also without reference to whether the abnormal flow is an increase or decrease.

In case of a decrease in now, the pressure in uid to flow therethrough. The movement of the' piston will lower the mass 40 and this in turn will elevate the mercury and cause a flow back into the container I5 until the pilot valve is in the neutral position and the movement of the plunger is stopped.

It will thus be seen that I have provided means for controlling the ow of fluid through the pipe I3 so as to entirely automatically'provide uniform flow therethrough without reference to the cause of the variation in the flow. In case additional fluid is drawn off from the pipe ID, or in case of any leakage in the pipe I0, a decreased pressure therein will follow, the fluid will be forced downwardly somewhat in the container I5, and the plunger will be lowered suflciently to care for the loss of fluid and, at the same time, to maintain substantially uniformthe ilow of fluid through the pipe I3.

In Fig. 2, VI have illustrated a modification of the system of Fig. 1, in which the containerkl5 is connected, by meansof the pipe I1, between the orifice I4 and the valve I I, while the container I8 is connected by means-of the pipe 20 to the far side of the orifice I4. As a consequence of this arrangement, an increased now will cause an increased pressure in the container I5, and a lowering of the float and the pilot valve. This will cause the pressure fluid in the pipe to act in the upper end of the chamber 32 and force the piston downwardly; thus the plunger 42 will be lowered. The plunger 42 is inverted, however, with reference to the plunger I2, so that the 4ports of the valve II are closed more as the plunger sinks. As a consequencefthe lowering of the plunger 42 will close more the valve and decrease the :('loyvF through the pipe I3 to compensate for the abnormal flow therein. Y

At the same time, as the piston 34 is forced downwardly, the displacement mass 40 will be lowered, thus forcing upwardly the mercury 24 in the container I5 and elevating the noat and pilot valve so as to close the inlet to the pipe 36 and the outlet to the pipe 3|, bringing the plunger to rest. In general, the operation of this system will be similar to the operation of the system of Fig. 1, except for the reversal of the pipes I1 and 20 and the plunger 42.

In Fig. 3, I have illustrated a somewhat similar system, but one in which the hydraulic operating mechanism is replaced by an electric operating mechanism.

In thisscase, the container is connected by a pipe 46 outside of the orice I4, and the container ,41 `is connected by a pipe 48 between the orifice,

and the valve II. Mounted on the container 45 are electric contact members. 50 and 5I. The contact 50 is normally above the surface of the mercury 52, and the contact 6I is normally plunged a slight distance in the mercury. These contacts are connected by circuits, illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 4, with the motor 53; and

..0f fluid.

`the motor is arranged, by suitable operating means, to open or close more the valve II, as the conditions may require.

In case of an increase in now through the pipe I3, the increased pressure in the pipe 48 will produce a'iiow of the mercury 41 from the container 51 through the pipe 55 into the container 45. As a consequence, contact will be made between the mrcury 52. and the contact 50. As illustrated in Fig. 4, -this will cause a ilow of electricity from the supply wire 56 to the pipe 55, the mercury 52, contact 50, wire 58, and coil l 60. 'Ihe current then iiows through the wire 62 and 63 out to the source of supply through the wire 64. The coil is arranged as an electromagnet or solenoid, and when excited it will close the switch 6 I The closing of the switch 6I will allow` the current to flow from the wire 56, through wire 58, Aswitch 6I, wire 65, switch 11, ileld coil 8|, motor 53, to the supply wire 64. This will cause the motor to rotate in the direction to suitably operate the pinion 68 'and the gear wheel 10. 'I'he gear wheel 16 is threaded onto the screw 1I, which is fixed to the stem 12 of the plunger 13. The operation of the motor will thus move upwardly the plunger 13, thus decreasing the flow The displacement mass 15 is also connected with the stem 12 by means of the rod 16 and, as the plunger is moved upwardly, the mass 15 will move upwardly, allowing the mercury 52 to ilow towards the container 51, and, thus, breaking the contact between the mercury and the contact 56.

This will stop the motor and the movement of the plunger 13. If the adjustments are suitable, the plunger will stop at a position to provide for uniform flow of fluid through the pipe I3.

' In case of a decrease in flow of fluid in the pipe I3, the consequent decrease in pressure in the pipe 48 will allow the Imercury 52 to flow towards the container 51 and, thus, to break contact with the contact 5I. Normally, the electric current flows through the contact 5I from the supply wire 56 through `the coil 18, and wire 63 to the return wire 64. The magnetic effect of the coil 18 normally holds the switch 80 open. When the current is broken, the switch 80 will close and the current will ow from the supply wire 56, switches 80 and 66 to the field coil 61, motor 53, and back through the wire 64. This will rotate the motor in the proper direction to lower`L the plunger and open more the valve II, thus increasing the ow of liquid through the pipe I3. This in turn, will lower the mass 15 and force mercury back into the container 45 until the contact with 5I is again made.

I prefer to provide also additional means for limiting the movement of the plunger 13. These means comprise the limit switches 66 and 11.`

plunger is being lowered,.the member .83 acts on Y the arm 81 of the switch 66, and opens the switch.

As the contact member 68 is connected with the field coil 61 of the motor, this will stop the motor. l

a iirstand a second container, said iirst contain-l In Fig. 5, I illustrate a modification of the system of Fig. 3. in which the container l'l is connected. by means ol' a pipe Il, with the far side of the oriiice Il, and the container 4l is connected by a pipe 8| between the orifice and the valve Il. As a consequence, when the iiow through the pipe I3 increases, the mercury l! will be forced downwardlyv and contact with the member 5I will be broken. As a consequence. the motor will be set in operation as hereinabove explained, but in a direction to .lower the plunger 92 and. thus, close more the valve il. n the other hand, when the flow in the pipe I3 decreases, the mercury 52 will rise and make contact with the member Il, and the motor will be operated to open further the valve l I.

, 'I'he plunger 92 is inverted with reference to the plunger 13. Otherwise, the system of Fig. 5 may belsimilar to the system ofAFig. 3, and the diagram oi' Fig.4 may be used to illustrate the electric circuits oi Eg. 5, it being that the connection oi' the circuits tothemotor is such and other mechanism may be enclosed in the -casing 93 and may be similar to that shown in the corresponding casing o! the system 'ot Fig. 3.

I claim as my invention;

-LMeans for regulating the iiow of a iluid through a pipe. comprising a valve in said pipe,

er being' in communication with said pipe at one point, said second container being incommunication with said pipe at another spaced point, the lower portionsv of said containers being in communication with each other, mercury in said coritainers,4 means associated with-the surface of the mercury in-said first containerbeing operatively connected with said vaive for varying the opening thereoLand mcansvrmsive 'to 'means in said .iirst container comprises -partly containers.

-therein and a motor operatively 3. Means as claimed in lclaim l. in which the latter means is associated with the mercury suriace in said second container.

4. Means as claimed in claim l, inwhich the latter means comprises a. displacement member partly submerged in themercury in'one of said 'containers and responsive to the movement o! vsaid valve.

5. Means asclaimed inciaim l, which the latter meansv comprises .a displacement member partly submerged in the mercuryY in said second container and responsive to themovement ot said valve. Y

i' 6. Meansas ciaimedin claim l, in which sali a iioa nn on the mercurytherein. l

7. Meansascl'aimedinclaimhinwhichsaid means in container comprises'a-noat iioating onfthe mercury therein, and said responsive means 'comprises a displacement ymember aucansaselumedinelaimninwhicntns '-m'eans in the nrst container comprlsesan elec-Y tric contact adjacent thesurface of the mercury valve w.th,said contact'.

means in the electric contacta'djacenttnesurtaceoithemercury a displacementvmember partly mbmerged mercury in oneof said containers. Y

submergedinthemercuryinoneotsaid j Splleans'as'claimedin claim Lin whichthe 

